Iran Denies Involvement In Suspected Terror Bomb Plot At UK Airbase Used By US Military
Iran Denies Involvement In Suspected Terror Bomb Plot At UK Airbase Used By US Military 
Counter-terrorism police said the suspects, aged between 23 and 25, are all British nationals living in inner London boroughs.
Iran has denied any involvement in an alleged bomb plot at a British airbase used by the United States, after five men were arrested near the facility.
Counter-terrorism police said the suspects, aged between 23 and 25, are all British nationals living in inner London boroughs.
The men were arrested on Sunday after police received information about three suspicious white vans reportedly travelling towards the Royal Air Force Fairford base in Gloucestershire, southwest England.
They are being held on suspicion of explosives offences and preparing a terrorist act under UK anti-terrorism laws.
Police said their detention had been extended until later Monday as investigations continued.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans said authorities were aware of speculation about the motive behind the incident and possible geopolitical links.
“I am very aware of the levels of speculation about the motivation behind this incident, and the geopolitical questions that are being raised,” Evans said.
“However, I ask that at this time, Counter Terrorism Policing are given the space to work carefully and clearly,” she added.
Bomb-disposal experts were deployed to the area, although police have not disclosed the nature of the suspected threat.
Police said they were investigating the activities of the suspects, their knowledge of the incident and any possible motive.
A farmer in the nearby village of Whelford alerted police after seeing three white vans blocking a road and a group of masked men.
The woman, who spoke anonymously, said police had “dropped the ball” over the incident.
However, UK Defence Minister Wes Streeting said she had only a “partial picture” of what happened.
US President Donald Trump said British and American authorities had been monitoring the suspects for some time.
“They were looking to do big damage to our fort,” Trump said during a visit to Chicago.
“We had them under view for a long time, and we got them.”
When asked whether the suspects were linked to Iran, Trump appeared to indicate that they were, but did not provide further details.
“You’ll be hearing about it very soon. We caught them,” he said.
Iran’s embassy in London rejected the suggestion, saying it “categorically rejects and strongly condemns” speculation linking Tehran to the incident.
The embassy also criticised what it described as “unfounded and malicious speculations” by some British individuals and media outlets.
Fairford has been used by the US for military operations. In March, Britain allowed Washington to use the base for “specific defensive operations into Iran” aimed at destroying Iranian missiles.
US bombers and other aircraft have since been operating from the facility, which is the only base on mainland Britain being used by the US for that purpose.
About 85 households in the nearby village were evacuated on Sunday and spent the night away from their homes while a police cordon remained in place.
Iran has previously warned Britain against allowing its military bases to be used by the US for operations against Tehran.
In March, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused London of “putting British lives in danger” by allowing the bases to be used “for aggression against Iran”.
